"His positive attitude and professional approach to his football and training always impressed and boosted his team-mates and coaches alike," the club said.

"Dylan was respected by everyone who knew him for his intelligent views on the game and his larger-than-life character. He was a loving son, amazing brother and well-respected member of the West Ham squad.

"He will be hugely missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing him."

The club said Tombides had sought to raise awareness of the disease after his diagnosis.

"Away from the pitch, Dylan did a huge amount of work to raise awareness of male cancer, supporting the One for the Boys campaign at a number of high-profile events alongside the likes of Hollywood star Samuel L Jackson, snooker star Jimmy White and fellow Australian Peter Andre," the club said.

Tombides's death will be marked by a minute's applause ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace and the players will also wear black armbands in his memory, the club said.

A minute's silence will be held before this afternoon's elimination A-League final between Adelaide United and the Central Coast Mariners.

Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop said: "On behalf of the Australian Football Community, we offer our deepest condolences to Dylan's family, team mates and friends during this extremely sad time.

"He will be remembered for the courage he showed in his personal battle as much as the prodigious talent he displayed on the football field."

Mr Gallop told the ABC that Tombides' talent was obvious early on, when he was selected for West Ham at the age of 15.

"The true champions usually get selected at that kind of age and he was in that category," he said.

"Playing up in the front of the set-up, he was a goal scorer and obviously his talent was recognised early.

"[He was] a guy who had the football world at his feet. He'd already achieved a lot, being in our junior national team. Obviously to have secured a contract in England is a massive achievement in itself, so [he was a] pretty outstanding young man."

Tombides made just one first-team appearance for the east London club - in the League Cup in September 2012 - but he also made the substitute's bench for Premier League games.

The Perth-born forward played for Australia Under-22s at the Asian championship this year.

Tombides wrote on Twitter last month that he spent his 20th birthday in hospital.